How do electrons move in a circuit

  • Thread starter Thread starter ehabmozart
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Circuit Electrons
AI Thread Summary
Electrons move in a circuit from the negative terminal to the positive terminal of a battery, contrary to conventional current flow, which is defined as moving from positive to negative. This movement is driven by the potential difference created by the battery, establishing an electric field within the circuit. The electric field exerts a force on the electrons, causing them to drift in the direction opposite to the field. Despite the positive terminal generating an electric field directed towards it, electrons are attracted to the positive terminal, resulting in their movement along the wire. Understanding this flow is essential for grasping basic electrical principles.
ehabmozart
Messages
212
Reaction score
0
Apparently, this would be an easy question but I really have no clue. Consider a battery connected by a simple wire from positive terminal to the negative terminal. How do electrons flow? From -ve to +ve terminal? Right? NOW, how does it move so? In most texts, they say due to the potential difference and the electric field produced by the +ve terminal. Now consider the +ve side, they direct electric field to the right for example, the electrons then must be attracted to the left. How do they move along the wire? Thanks in advance for any help
 
Physics news on Phys.org

Thread 'Why measure the speed of light in one direction?'

It may be shown from the equations of electromagnetism, by James Clerk Maxwell in the 1860’s, that the speed of light in the vacuum of free space is related to electric permittivity (ϵ) and magnetic permeability (μ) by the equation: c=1/√( μ ϵ ) . This value is a constant for the vacuum of free space and is independent of the motion of the observer. It was this fact, in part, that led Albert Einstein to Special Relativity.
View full post »

Similar threads

B How is surface charge accumulated?
Replies
36
Views
6K
I An attempt to understand the associated variable conventions in circuits
Replies
1
Views
2K
I How a Battery creates a Potential difference in an electrical current
Replies
14
Views
5K
I Can current flow in an open circuit?
Replies
4
Views
3K
How can electrons flow all the way through the circuit?
Replies
21
Views
2K
Electric field in a circuit with a DC source
Replies
2
Views
11K
I Do electrons flow in an electrical circuit?
Replies
14
Views
4K
If an electron is repelled by another electron how do we get current?
Replies
18
Views
2K
I Potential difference between a battery's terminal and Earth ground
2
Replies
58
Views
4K
B Some Questions about Electric Current/Capacitors to help my understanding
Replies
7
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top